NZ Cricket Announces Home Season Schedule for 2017-18

Web Desk (August 2, 2017): New Zealand Cricket, on Tuesday (August 1), announced a limited-overs cricket dominated home schedule for the upcoming season.

In the season that will last for 43 days, the Black Caps will host West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and England. In addition, the ICC Under-19 World Cup will take place in January followed by West Indies women’s team’s visit in March. At the same time, there are still uncertainties over the prospect of a day-night Test against England at Auckland.

New Zealand’s cricket summer will kick start with the full-fledged series against West Indies. The series consists of two Tests in December, followed by three ODIs and three T20Is against the reigning World T20 champions. West Indies were initially set to play three Tests with the Hagley Oval slated to hold the third Test. However, the venue will instead host a Boxing Day ODI against the visitors.

Series against West Indies will be followed by a limited-overs series against Pakistan consisting of five ODIs and three T20Is. The Kiwis are also scheduled to play a Trans-Tasman T20I tri-series, involving both Australia and England. The series will be the first of its kind where full members of the ICC are going to feature in a T20I triangular series. Both Australia and New Zealand will host the matches, with the final scheduled to be played at Eden Park on February 21.

New Zealand’s home series will conclude with a five-match ODI and two-Test series against England. The first Test which is scheduled to take place at Eden Park in Auckland could be the first day-night affair in New Zealand but it would go ahead only if an independent hearing gives the green light. For the time being, it is not allowed to use lights on Sunday at the Eden Park.